Stepwise basin evolution of the Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous rift phase in the Central Graben area of Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a cross-border study of the Middle Jurassic-Early Cretaceous rift phase in the Danish-German-Dutch Central Graben area. Based on long-distance correlations of palynologically interpreted wells, a stepwise basin evolution pattern was determined. Four phases are defined and described as tectonostratigraphic mega-sequences (TMS). The TMS are governed by changes in the tectonic regime. TMS-1 reflects the onset of rifting, triggered by regional east-west extension. Rift climax was reached during TMS-1, reflected by thick mudstone accumulations. TMS-2 reflects a change in the tectonic regime from east-west to NE-SW extension. NW-SE-trending normal faults became active during this phase, switching the depocentres from the graben axis into adjacent basins. TMS-3 displays divergent basin development. In the Dutch Central Graben area, it is characterized by a basal unconformity and widespread sandstone deposition, indicating continued salt and fault activity. Organic-rich mudstone deposition prevails in the Danish and German Central Graben area, indicating sediment starvation and water-mass stratification. With TMS-4 the rift phase ended, reflected by regionally uniform mudstone deposition. The basin evolution model presented here coherently places the lithostratigraphic units occurring in a stratigraphic framework and provides a valuable basis for hydrocarbon exploration activities in the region.Gold Open Access: This article is published under the terms of the CC-BY 3.0 license.

Tectonostratigraphy of a rift basin affected by salt tectonics: synrift Middle Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Dutch Central Graben, Terschelling Basin and neighbouring platforms, Dutch offshore

“…This new information was combined with previous legacy material to build a robust depositional, stratigraphic, chronostratigraphic and structural framework for Middle Jurassic-Early Cretaceous sequences preserved in the Dutch offshore (Munsterman et al 2012;Verreussel et al 2018).…”

“…As such, the area of sediment accumulation broadens to encompass the entire North Sea (Cromer Knoll Formation in UK and Norwegian sectors; see Verreussel et al 2018). This interval (TMS-4, Fig.…”

“…The integration of palynological, stable isotope, core, well and seismic data into a single tectonostratigraphic model for the Dutch offshore will aid further hydrocarbon exploration by supplying an integrated framework for Middle Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous stratigraphy and tectonic events that can be followed at cuttings to seismic scale. This paper is closely linked to that of Verreussel et al (2018); the latter discusses the relevant palynological information and controls used in both papers and presents a stratigraphic overview of the Middle JurassicLower Cretaceous from the Dutch to the Danish sectors. In order to provide further context, an overview of the geological evolution of the area is first presented.…”

“…Three Middle Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous tectonostratigraphic mega-sequences (TMS-1 to -3) are recognized in the Dutch, German and Danish offshore area; these reflect three main stages of basin evolution regarding the Central Graben and adjacent areas (Munsterman et al 2012;Verreussel et al 2018). In the Dutch sector, these sequences contain sand-rich reservoir intervals such as the Lower, Middle and Upper Graben and the Friese Front formations (TMS-1); the Terschelling Sandstone and the Noordvaarder members (TMS-2); and the Scruff Greensand Formation (TMS-3) (Fig.…”

“…2). The data used in this research include 102 wells, 11 cores, 5 two-dimensional (2D) seismic surveys, 43 3D seismic surveys, as well as 5500 palynological and 800 stable isotope analyses carried out on core and cuttings samples (see also Verreussel et al 2018). The integration of palynological, stable isotope, core, well and seismic data into a single tectonostratigraphic model for the Dutch offshore will aid further hydrocarbon exploration by supplying an integrated framework for Middle Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous stratigraphy and tectonic events that can be followed at cuttings to seismic scale.…”